Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic paid a glowing tribute to Gianluigi Buffon ahead of Wednesday s Champions League match against Juventus, stating the veteran goalkeeper s heart-wrenching farewell from international football was tough to witness.
Buffon returns to Europe s top competition after Italy s ignominious exit from the World Cup, with Sweden s play-off triumph over the Azzurri denying the 39-year-old a fitting career farewell at Russia 2018.
Asked whether he had any consoling word for Buffon at a pre-match news conference, Rakitic suggested it would be ridiculous to assume there is any wisdom left for all-time great top receive on the beautiful game.
If I have to explain something about football to Buffon that would be a difficult challenge. I don t thi…